Blueberry plant named &#39;RIDLEY 1602&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 1602’ is provided. The variety a selection resulting from seedlings from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. plant application Ser. No. 14/999,949). The variety can be distinguished by its outstanding features of strong plant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/601,836 filed on Mar. 31, 2017, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

Latin name of the genus and species: Genus—Vaccinium.Species—corymbosum.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘RIDLEY 1602’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofVaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given thevariety denomination of ‘Ridley 1602’. Its market class is that of afruiting plant. ‘Ridley 1602’ is intended for use as fresh fruit forshipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home gardenplant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley4609’ (U.S. plant application Ser. No. 14/999,949). The new cultivar wasdiscovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in2014 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, NewSouth Wales, Australia. Selection criteria were a combination of strongplant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, lowchilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruitripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited tohandling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at thecommercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia and Tabulam,New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since2014 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that thenew cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley4609’ (U.S. plant application Ser. No. 14/999,949). The seed parent wasproduced from a seedling selection of ‘S02-25-05’ (unpatented) andpollen parent Magna (S03-08-02) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,806-P3). Thepollen parent was produced from a seedling selection of ‘C95-152’(unpatented) and pollen parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778).

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ primarily in more spreading plant growth habit needing morepruning and shaping, smaller sized and more highly flavored fruitwhereas the seed parent has a more upright plant growth (U.S. plantapplication Ser. No. 14/999,949) habit, larger fruit. Plants of the newcultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’ primarilyin much earlier flowering and ripening timing and also sweeter fruitwhereas the pollen parent has late flowering and ripening timing andless sweet fruit.

The new blueberry variety was designated M14-16-02, and has been plantedin replicated trials since 2014.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley4609’ (U.S. plant application Ser. No. 14/999,949). The new cultivar wasdiscovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in2014 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, NewSouth Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strongplant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, lowchilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruitripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited tohandling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at thecommercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia and farms atTabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish M14-16-02 (‘Ridley 1602’) as anew and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Upright to semi-upright bushy plant growth habit    -   2. Strong to very strong plant growth vigor    -   3. Large leaf size    -   4. Very early to early timing of flowering beginning    -   5. Very early to early timing of fruit ripening    -   6. Very firm and crisp berry    -   7. Dry picking scar    -   8. Large to very large berry size    -   9. Berry sweetness is very high

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘Ridley1403’ primarily in more spreading plant growth habit needing morepruning and shaping, smaller sized and more highly flavored fruitwhereas the seed parent has a more upright plant growth habit, largerfruit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. plant application Ser. No. 14/999,949) primarily inmuch earlier flowering and ripening timing and also sweeter fruitwhereas the pollen parent has late flowering and ripening timing andless sweet fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’, demonstratingthe plant's upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the leaves, fruit, new shoot and fruit clusterof the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of fruit of the variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of fruit cross section of the variety ‘Ridley1602’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited inthe detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of thenew blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Ridley 1602’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately 3 years of age, and thedescriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam, New SouthWales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made onfruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designationsare from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—hybrid.        -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.-   Parentage: Female Parent—‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432).    Male Parent—‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. plant patent application Ser. No.    14/999,949).-   Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for    shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing    markets and as a home garden plant.-   Plant:-   General:    -   -   a. Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 25,432).        -   b. Male parent.—‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. plant patent application            Ser. No. 14/999,949).        -   c. Plant height.—1.7 m.        -   d. Plant width.—1.5 m.        -   e. Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.        -   f. Growth.—Strong to very strong vigor.        -   g. Productivity.—6 to 7 kg per season from 3-4 year old            plants planted at 3.0m ×0.9 m density.        -   h. Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments            including harsh winter environments.        -   i. Cold tolerance.—Cold tolerance is expected to be low.        -   j. Chilling requirement.—Has not been grown in all            environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop            where chilling hours are not important. ‘Ridley 1602’ is            classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush            Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement            of 250 hours (not tested).        -   k. Tolerance to disease.—Moderate resistance to root disease            (phytophthora spp) and good resistance to blueberry rust.        -   l. Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is very early when grown as            an evergreen in Australia.        -   m. Twigginess.—Low.-   Stem:-   General:    -   -   a. Suckering tendency.—Plants typically have 5-7 major canes            per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6 year old            plants.        -   b. Mature cane color.—Color greyed orange 198C.        -   c. Mature cane length.—0.8-1.0 m.        -   d. Mature cane width.—1.2 cm.        -   e. Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).        -   f. Fall color on new shoots.—        -   g. Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.        -   h. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—20-30 mm.        -   i. Fruiting wood.—To 15 cm in length.-   Foliage:-   General:    -   -   a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Very early.        -   b. Leaf color (top side).—Yellow green 147A.        -   c. Leaf color (under side).—Yellow green 147C.        -   d. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   e. Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   f. Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   g. Undulation of margin.—Weak.        -   h. Leaf venation.—Reticulate.        -   i. Leaf apices.—Acuminate.        -   j. Leaf bases.—Obtuse.        -   k. Leaf Length.—60-65 mm.        -   l. Leaf width.—33-40 mm.        -   m. Leaf length/width ratio.—Medium.        -   n. Leaf nectaries.—Absent.        -   o. Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.        -   p. Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.        -   q. Cross sectional profile.—Flat.        -   r. Longitudinal profile.—Straight.        -   s. Attitude.—Semi-upright to horizontal.-   Petioles:    -   -   a. Length.—1.0 to 3.0 mm.        -   b. Width.—2.0 mm.        -   c. Color.—Yellow green 146C-147C.-   Flowers:-   General:    -   -   a. Time of beginning of flowering.—Very early to early (late            March-early May to at Lindendale, NSW Australia).        -   b. Time of 50% anthesis.—Early July at Lindendale, NSW            Australia.        -   c. Flower shape.—Urceolate.        -   d. Flower bud density.—Medium density.        -   e. Flower fragrance.—Weak.-   Corolla:    -   -   a. Color.—White NN155D.        -   b. Length.—9-12 mm.        -   c. Width.—7-9 mm.        -   d. Aperture width.—3-5 mm.        -   e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent, occasional in            bud stage.        -   f. Corolla ridges.—Present.        -   g. Protrusion of stigma.—Usually absent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   a. Length.—40 to 70 mm.        -   b. Diameter.—20-30 mm.        -   c. Length of peduncle.—15 mm.        -   d. Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.        -   e. Color of peduncle.—146C.        -   f. Length of pedicel.—7-10 mm.        -   g. Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.        -   h. Color of pedicel.—147C.        -   i. Number of flowers per cluster.—9-12.        -   j. Flower cluster density.—Medium.-   Calyx (with sepals):    -   -   a. Diameter.—9-11 mm.        -   b. Color (sepals).—Green 138C to yellow green 147C.-   Stamen:    -   -   a. Length.—4-5 mm.        -   b. Number per flower.—Approximately 10.        -   c. Filament color.—Yellow green 144D.-   Pistil:    -   -   a. Length.—10-13 mm.        -   b. Style.—Length — 5-6 mm.        -   c. Ovary color (exterior).—Yellow green 144D-147C.-   Anther:    -   -   a. Length.—3.0-3.5 mm.        -   b. Number.—Approximately 10.        -   c. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.-   Pollen:    -   -   a. Abundance.—Medium.        -   b. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.        -   c. Self-compatibility.—60% fruit set with own pollen in            tests at Lindendale, NSW Australia.-   Fruit:-   General:    -   -   a. Time of fruit ripening.—Very early to early (early June            to mid August at Tabulam, NSW Australia).        -   b. Time of 50% maturity.—Early August.        -   c. Fruit development period.—65 days.        -   d. Cluster density.—Medium, 7-10 berries per cluster.        -   e. Unripe fruit color.—Green 13 8A.        -   f. Ripe berry color.—Black 202A.        -   g. Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.        -   h. Berry flesh color.—Grayed green 194C, lightening to 194D,            then 193D.        -   i. Berry weight.—4.4-4.8g.        -   j. Berry height from calyx to scar.—18-20 mm.        -   k. Berry diameter.—24 mm.        -   l. Berry shape.—Oblate.        -   m. Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).        -   n. Sweetness when ripe.—High to very high.        -   o. Firmness when ripe.—Very firm.        -   p. Acidity when ripe.—Medium to high.        -   q. Storage quality.—Good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees            Celsius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere            storage yet.        -   r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Very firm fruit            firmness, strong blush and fruit shape suited to mechanical            harvesting. Shake requirement and season compactness not yet            tested.        -   s. Self-fruitfulness.—60% fruit set with own pollen in tests            at Lindendale, NSW Australia.        -   t. Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and            processing markets and as a home garden plant.-   Seed:-   General:    -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—Abundant.        -   Seed color.—Greyed orange 164A.        -   Seed dry weight.—not yet recorded.        -   Seed length.—1.5-2.0 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

TABLE 1 Ridley 4514 (U.S. Plant Pat. Ridley 1105 Organ Context Ridley1602 No. 27,163P3) (not patented) Plant vigour strong to very strongstrong to very strong strong Plant growth habit upright to semi-uprightupright upright One-year-old colour green green green shoot One-year-oldlength of internode medium medium medium shoot Leaf length long mediumto long long to very long Leaf width broad broad very broad Leaf shapeelliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf colour of upper side green green greenLeaf intensity of green colour on medium medium medium upper side(varieties with green leaf colour only) Leaf margin entire entire entireFlower bud anthocyanin coloration weak weak weak Flower shape of corollaurceolate urceolate urceolate Flower size of corolla tube medium mediummedium Flower anthocyanin colouration of absent or very weak absent orvery weak absent or very weak corolla tube Flower ridges on corolla tubepresent present present Fruit cluster density medium medium mediumUnripe fruit intensity of green colour light light light Fruit sizelarge to very large large to very large large Fruit shape inlongitudinal section oblate oblate oblate Fruit attitude of sepals erecterect erect Fruit diameter of calyx basin large to very large medium tolarge medium to large Fruit depth of calyx basin deep deep medium Fruitintensity of bloom strong strong strong Fruit colour of skin dark bluedark blue dark blue Fruit Firmness very firm firm firm to very firmFruit Sweetness high to very high medium to high high Fruit Aciditymedium to high weak medium to high Time of vegetative bud burst veryearly late very early Time of beginning of flowering very early to earlyvery early very early Time of beginning of fruit ripening very early toearly early very early

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 1602’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 